Rs 60 million 'dubious' contract: Protesting PTI lawmaker forced to leave Sindh PA

A protesting PTI legislator was forced to leave the Sindh Assembly after Speaker warned him of throwing-out of the House if he continued with his clamour. Khurram Sher Zaman Khan - a vocal PTI legislator Wednesday expressed concern over the allotment of a government's contract of Rs 60 million to a private firm - SAPPHIRE against the Sindh Public Procurement Rules. His protest on rules violation displeased the Speaker of the assembly - Aga Siraj Durrani.
Despite Sindh Excise Minister, Gayan Chand Israni admitted of an irregularity in the contract allotment and assured the house of probe with presenting a report in 15 days before the legislators, Khurram Sher Zaman continued with shouts of 'law is violated'.
Israni said that the contract was allotted in 2009 but his department would investigate that under what head funds were still being provided to the firm. The PTI lawmaker remained charged and spoke even after the Speaker ordered to close his microphone.
Durrani taunted him that only he was law abiding as if there was lawlessness in the country and warned him of throwing-out of the house if his clamour did not stop. Latter he walked out in protest. While dealing with the opposition legislators, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker often lose temper and neutrality being the house custodians. Israni told the house during questions and answers session that the government had registered 2,096 million motorcycles between 2008 and 2013 that had helped it earn Rs 5.817 million revenues. He replied that his department had ordered an action against motor cars with tainted glasses.
Sindh Local Government Minister, Jam Khan Shoro earlier told the provincial legislature that the government was beginning work on two projects to meet the soaring demand for potable water in the metropolis. Between 2011-12 and 2013-14, he said that some 366 heavy vehicles including dump trucks, cranes, loaders etc, had been registered in Karachi.
The projects will help supply 165 million gallon water per day to the citizens, Jam Khan Shoro said that the government was aware of the city's requirement for the key service.
In summers, the government will supply water as per the requirement, he replied to a privilege motion of Khurram Sher Zaman Khan, who sought an action on a resolution that the Sindh Assembly had adopted on February 16, 2016 for initiation of the two proposed water projects to provide 165 MDG water to Karachi. The minister said that the government was going to float a tender for 100 MGD water project on April 21 and appoint a consultant for 65 MDG water project on April 29. Work on both will start afterwards, he said, adding that the K-IV project would complete in two years, which the FWO was executing.
Two newly elected provincial legislators - Muhammad Ismail Raho of PML-N and Zia-ul-Hassan took oath that the Aga Siraj Durrani administered. Supporters of both legislators thronged the assembly hall and shouted their parties' slogans leaving the legislature a political arena in no time. The Speaker observed scene as a spectator.
The Assembly secretariat has confirmed receiving resignations of MQM's two lawmakers including Dr Sagheer Ahmed and Iftikhar Alam. Both lawmakers left their party and assembly membership recently. The house will now meet on April 8, Friday.